Are you interested in betting but can’t get to your local bookies? Whether you’re looking to place some wagers on your favourite sports, want to try your luck at a game of darts or even vote on the result of a TV event, it’s important to know your bookies closing times.
Opening hours for bookies vary depending on where you live, but the majority of them are open during the week and at weekends. Some even operate during bank holidays, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re going on holiday or just want to stop by and have a relaxing day out!
Ladbrokes Closing Times Today
With over 4000 high street stores and a thriving online website, Ladbrokes is one of the most popular bookmakers in the UK. They’re known for their generous welcome offers, enhanced odds and price boosts, profit bonuses, and other promotions to attract customers.
Responsible Gambling
Safe betting is a top priority for bookies, and they strive to educate their customers on how to play responsibly. They also train their staff to be friendly and help new betters learn the ropes. They are also responsible for keeping an eye out for those who may be gambling too much and can report any suspicious behaviour.
Bookmakers closing times depend on their location, but you can find out more by using the shop locator. Coral has 1800 shops all over the country, so it’s easy to find a store near you.
Northern Ireland has recently passed a bill to change the law around when bookmakers can be open, which means they can now trade on Sundays and Good Friday. The law was enacted by the Government before the Stormont Assembly was dissolved for fresh elections in March and comes into effect from 27 April.
The changes will see premise-based bookmakers in Northern Ireland permitted to open on these days, which has been a legal stumbling block since 1961, when the Gaming and Betting Act came into force. The new legislation was designed to protect consumers from risky activities, but it has caused some problems for the sector.
In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak and the closures of hundreds of bookmakers, many punters are tempted to head online. However, it’s not clear if the industry will ever recover.
Licensed Bookmakers
In addition to the changes to the Gambling Act, there are other factors that have led to the mass closures of shops. Firstly, FOBTs (fixed odds betting terminals) had their maximum stakes cut to PS2 last year. This impacted on the business of many bookmakers, as well as the racing industry as a whole.
The betting industry also faces a number of other issues, including a public health guideline that restricts the number of gambling machines in public areas, and the impact of the coronavirus. But while these factors could be contributing to the closures, it’s unlikely that any of them alone will have the final say.